FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Nick Dobreff, Director of Publicity and Community Relations
616.485.3913 (m) – 303.308.2477 (o)
ndobreff@coloradosymphony.org
COLORADO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES 2021/22 YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Students will enjoy access to live and virtual performances, distinct program options across grades K-12, bilingual programming, and eight youth concerts at Boettcher Concert Hall from October – February
Aug. 4, 2021 – Denver, CO – Announcing the Colorado Symphony’s 2021/22 MusiCurious Youth Education Programs featuring virtual and in-person performances, bilingual programming, and a yearlong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, highlighted by the “Lift Every Voice” (LEV) Youth Concert series.
LEV, which debuted virtually in 2020, provides classrooms across Colorado with an invaluable cultural experience offering students the opportunity to hear world-class symphonic music with a theme that inspires a message of unity, creative self-expression and celebrates our common human spirit. The series of eight live performances from October 19-February 2 will feature diverse repertoire and collaborations with guest artists including composers Anna Clyne and Omar Thomas, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Fiesta Colorado Dance Company, spoken word poet Frankie Le’Troy, and visual artist Javier Flores. Classes will have the opportunity to experience this program live at Boettcher Concert Hall and virtually through the Colorado Symphony’s Virtual Stage.
Included in the LEV Youth Concert experience is a curriculum packet containing three lesson plans meeting state and federal standards with scaffolded instruction that emphasizes student expression, an online resource folder containing auxiliary material including original composer biographies, worksheets, PowerPoints, and collaborator videos, and professional development opportunities for teachers. This interactive curriculum is designed to spark creative self-expression, inspiring students to find their voice through music and the arts while providing opportunities for them to see art as an inclusive space for them to express themselves.
“In developing this virtual youth concert experience, our goal was to feature diverse repertoire and collaborations with local talented artists, allowing students to see, hear, and experience musicians and artists that reflect the diversity of our community” said Jesse Martinez, Director of Community Education for the Colorado Symphony Association. “The Colorado Symphony is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusivity and we are thrilled to share the joy of music with students in Colorado virtually and in person this year.
The LEV Youth Concert experience will end with a family concert open to the public on April 24, 2021 which will include a “Be Bold” Student Exhibition. This exhibition, inspired by the LEV curriculum, will will showcase a variety of student work, including poetry, visual art, student music and dance performances, in the galleria before the concert.
A new addition to this year’s educational programming is Canta y Baila Conmigo®, a unique bilingual ECE music program where young children and their families experience another culture and language firsthand while exploring and developing musically in an age-appropriate manner as a part of preschool or a parent workshop. Using the musical traditions of Latin-America, the program is a structured to introduce Spanish the way a child learns any language: through play and meaningful interactions with the adults they love. Learning happens naturally within an authentic, culturally rich musical experience.
The 2021/22 MusiCurious Season will also see the return of other beloved programs including:
Petite Musique
A Colorado Symphony 17-piece orchestra visits multiple venues in the metro area each year, performing programs specially designed for children ages 0 to 7 years old. This year’s theme is Peter Rabbit and will be performed in English and Spanish. This program will also be available virtually featuring The Three Little Pigs along with a digital storybook.
Sensory Friendly
The Colorado Symphony believe strongly in access and inclusion. That’s why our Sensory Friendly concerts are designed for people with conditions that might cause them to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome at concerts. These relaxed performances are designed to be shared experiences with family members and caregivers. This program will also be available virtually for the 2021/22 Season.
Master Mentors
Students will have the opportunity to work with an actual Colorado Symphony musician. Whether it be instrument demonstrations, coaching for band/orchestra/mariachi students, or advising students interested in pursuing a career in performing arts, the Colorado Symphony is here to support in classroom learning. This program will also be available virtually for the 2021/22 Season.
Open Rehearsals
Classes can experience one of seven Colorado Symphony rehearsal as they prepare for an upcoming concert. This program offers an opportunity to observe the orchestra at work and will be especially engaging for middle and high school band or orchestra students.
For a complete list of Colorado Symphony MusiCurious Youth Education programs, click here.
“The Colorado Symphony is committed to educating the next generation of musicians and making music accessible to everyone,” said Chief Artistic Officer Tony Pierce. “This organization and our musicians believe strongly in the transformative power of music and we’re so grateful to the many generous donors and foundations who make these education programs possible.”
Colorado Symphony Educations programs are bought to you through the generous support of donors and foundations including SCFD, the Scientific & Cultural Collaborative, Bowen Family Performing Arts Fund, Genesee Mountain Foundation, Schramm Foundation, Frederick Fish Foundation, Denver Post Community Foundation, Ralph L. and Florence R. Burgess Trust, The National Endowment of the Arts, and 8z Real Estate.
Reservations for Colorado Symphony MusiCurious programs can be made beginning September 3, 2021, at coloradosymphony.org. For more information about Colorado Symphony MusiCurious Youth Programs, please visit coloradosymphony.org/education or email musicurious@coloradosymphony.org.
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CONTACTS:
For more information or to request interviews, please contact:
Nick Dobreff, Director of Publicity and Community Relations
ndobreff@coloradosymphony.org - 303.308.2477 (o)
For high-resolution, downloadable images of the Colorado Symphony, contact: ndobreff@coloradosymphony.org
The 2021/22 Colorado Symphony Season is presented by Bonfils-Stanton Foundation. Support also provided by: The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), United Airlines, and the Colorado Symphony Guild.
TICKETS:
Tickets to Colorado Symphony events are available online at coloradosymphony.org/tickets or by phone at 303.623.7876. The Box Office is open Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
ABOUT THE COLORADO SYMPHONY:
The Colorado Symphony Association is the region’s only full-time professional orchestra committed to artistic excellence and ensuring the future of live, symphonic music. Performing over 150 concerts annually at Boettcher Concert Hall in downtown Denver and across Colorado, your Colorado Symphony is home to eighty full-time musicians, representing more than a dozen nations, and regularly welcomes the most celebrated artists from all genres of music. During the COVID-19 health pandemic, we worked to safely produce over 50 concerts with and without audiences, including: 18 Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre performances, two large scale virtual community benefit concerts, and dozens of small ensemble concerts performed in numerous outdoor venues like the Denver Performing Arts Complex Galleria, Denver Zoo, and Denver Botanic Gardens. Our virtual #PlayOn campaigns garnered 2 million views between our Virtual Music Hour, Weekly Replay, From Home Concerts, and MusiCurious Instrument Interviews. Recognized as an incubator of innovation, creativity, and excellence, your Colorado Symphony continually expands its through education, outreach, and programming. We partner with the state’s leading musical artists, cultural organizations, corporations, foundations, sports teams, and individuals to expose diverse audiences to the power of symphonic orchestral music. To learn more, visit coloradosymphony.org.